Ipswich supersub Pablo Counago helped the Joe Royle revival move up a gear with a dramatic late winner against Coventry at Portman Road.

Counago pounced on a loose ball with just six minutes left to clinch this 2-1 victory and hoist Town towards the top half of Division One.

Just nine minutes earlier, Coventry substitute John Eustace had wiped out Darren Bent's 10th-minute opener with a thunderbolt 22-yarder.

Woeful City defending gifted Town the lead, with Bent rising unchallenged to head home his sixth goal of the season after 10 minutes.

City bagged their deserved leveller when Chris Makin's awful pass fell to Eustace, who blasted home from outside the box.

But Counago popped up to tap home from Debec's parried save to snatch the points.

Coventry were guilty of criminal defending after 10 minutes - allowing Ipswich to take the lead.

Unmarked home striker Bent charged into the six-yard box to meet Jim Magilton's corner with a firm header, giving Debec no chance.

Coventry scored their sensational leveller when a terrible pass by Town defender Makin fell to City substitute Eustace with 15 minutes left.

He dropped his left shoulder to work space for a shot and thundered the ball past Gerrard from 22 yards.

But Town went 2-1 up in the 84th minute. Counago was felled just outside the box - and when Debec could only parry Jim Magilton's resulting free-kick, Counago reacted first and poked home from five yards.

Ipswich: Gerrard, Wilnis, McGreal, Gaardsoe, Makin, Hreidarsson, Magilton, Holland, Clapham, Armstrong, Darren Bent.
Subs: Marshall, Wright, Ambrose, Counago, Venus.

Coventry: Debec, Caldwell, Konjic, Davenport, Gordon, Chippo, McAllister, Safri, Partridge, McMaster, McSheffrey.
Subs: Hyldgaard, Shaw, Eustace, Bothroyd, Pipe.

Referee: A Bates (Staffordshire).